“No, not all. Even with a quantum computer like yourself doing the calculations, we’ll be here several lifetimes. Let’s restrict it to twenty. Start in galaxy. Within any analogous Galactic Habitable Zone. Terrestrial-class planet narrowed for liquid water. Orbiting main sequence spectral G2 dwarf main sequence star, protected by gas giant planets. O2-rich atmosphere, somewhere in the range of a 21 percent O2, 78 percent N, 1 percent CO2 balance. Fairly temperate climate with seasonal changes. Oxygen bound in rocks, ice, liquid (i.e., SO4). Large enough for movement of liquid iron in the core to create a magnetic field so that solar wind won’t strip away the atmosphere. Orbited by a large moon, maybe a quarter the size of Earth.” Stacia tapped her chin. “If we’re really going for ideal conditions, perhaps with plate tectonics…”

<So … as Earth-like as possible.>

“Your sarcasm has been noted. Planets?”

<Within the most significant parameters, we could find suitable planets around one in ten to the fifteenth power stars.>

“Not great odds even in a galaxy of one hundred billion stars. What if we leave room for life to adapt to conditions we haven’t specified?”

<That’s still quite a bit of human-centered hubris.>

“What do you mean?”

<You’ve only set parameters for life as you know it. To make you—as you define being human—the most comfortable.>

“Just begin the calculations and give me your top recommendations.”

Stacia didn’t want Maya to blame themselves for her irritation. Her frustration had been mounting even before her return visit to the Dreaming City. Lab contaminations. Shortages. Overruns. The work had been slowed, and she couldn’t help but fear that it reflected on her leadership. Then she chided herself. No one in Muungano looked at her through that lens. An elder might come alongside her for a while to help and guide, offering themselves as another tool at her disposal to work things out. But the Cypher was hers to run and its problems hers to figure out.

<Paki approaches.>

“Thanks for the heads-up. End protocols and let him in.”

The section of wall separated, allowing an entrance that Paki stormed through without having to break his stride.

“We have decided, in light of the recent aggression by O.E., to have a series of weapons upgrades. This will be fleet-wide, for all research-level ships on up.” Paki read the latest communiqué without so much as a glance her way.

“Won’t greater armaments send the wrong message?”

“Then maybe they shouldn’t have ‘allowed’ our embassy to be bombed. The weapons will send precisely the message O.E. will hear.” There was always the subtle note of challenge to his tone. His was a remnant of an older strain of Muungano. Back when it was mostly Ugenini, Maroon, and Asili, not having grown into the multicultural space it was now. He had that in common with Maulana.